What's Next For Michigan Basketball?

Zak Irvin, Mr. Basketball Indiana award winner, will look to bring Michigan
back to the national championship next season as a freshman.
Picture Courtesy: usatodayhss.com

Coming off of the first final four appearance for 20 years, Michigan basketball may need to replace several starters from this year's team. The first player looking to bring the team back is Zak Irvin, a six-foot, seven-inch small forward from Hamilton Southeastern high school in Fishers, Indiana. Irvin was named Mr. Basketball in Indiana after averaging 24.6 points per game along with 9 rebounds.

"We have been tracking Zak for four years now, and it has been incredible to watch his overall development," said John Beilein when asked about the 29th ranked overall prospect in the class of 2013.

Another big star coming in will be Detroit Chandler Park Academy point guard, Derrick Walton. Walton may need to help replace Trey Burke, who will most likely announce his decision to go pro in a few short days. Walton was an all-around star for Chandler Park this season, scoring 26.2 points a game along with 10.1 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.4 steals. Trey Burke will be nearly impossible to replace, but after the 17 point performance from Spike Albrecht in the National Championship game, and the fifth overall point guard in the country coming in, Ann Arbor may not have as big of a hole to fill as people think.

Next is Mark Donnal, a six-foot, nine-inch power forward from Whitehouse, Ohio. Donnal has great shooting range, but yet has the ability and toughness to play center and get in the paint. "Mark is very skilled, has the ability to shoot, and is very young, so he will grow into his body," said Michigan Head Coach, John Beilein about Donnal, the thirty-eighth overall power forward in the class.

With several players on the fence of returning to Michigan or leaving for the NBA, Michigan may have many holes to fill. These holes may include Wooden Award Winner, Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Glenn Robinson III, and Mitch McGary. Assuming Burke and Hardaway will leave for the NBA, the guards may be awfully important next season. Derrick Walton and Spike Albrecht will likely split time at point guard for the Wolverines, which adds a scoring threat with Walton, but also a spark plug in Albrecht. At shooting guard to replace Hardaway would be the Canadian, Nik Stauskas. Stauskas can shoot the ball from three-point range like few in the country can, averaging 43% from the arc this season. Small forward will be where it gets interesting. If Glenn Robinson III returns, as I believe he ultimately will, it will provide plenty of depth with the freshman, Zak Irvin coming in. Irvin and Robinson should be able to fill the spot nicely at small forward. If McGary comes back, as he definitely should, he can be the spark plug for them down low. Jordan Morgan will also return as a senior, and let's hope his offensive game improves.


Ultimately, the starting lineup for next season as I see it for the season opener: Spike Albrecht, Nik Stauskas, Zak Irvin, Glenn Robinson III, and Mitch McGary. On the bench, Derrick Walton will get a chance to play major minutes at the point. If he proves himself, he may be able to take over the starting role over Albrecht, that's assuming Albrecht doesn't shoot like he did in the National Championship all season long. Freshman, Mark Donnal and senior, Jordan Morgan can be the big men off of the bench to add height and defensive presence down low.

Overall, I don't think Michigan will be as bad as everyone is assuming next year. I think the freshmen will play well, along with the returning super-sophomores that they will have in Ann Arbor.